4,4'-(4,5-dimethyl-1,2-phenylene)bis(2-methylbut-3-yn-2-ol): structural variation in vicinal dialkynols.

The structure of the title compound, C(18)H(22)O(2), contains two non-equivalent molecules which differ primarily in the location of the -OH groups on opposite sides or on the same side of the molecular plane. Inversion-symmetric pairs of molecules form intermolecular O-H...O hydrogen-bonded tetrameric synthons that link non-equivalent molecules into an approximately square double layer parallel to (-102). Recently reported fluorinated analogues [Kane, Meyers, Yu, Gerken & Etzkorn (2011). Eur. J. Org. Chem. pp. 2969-2980] have significantly different structures of varying complexity that incorporate intramolecular hydrogen bonding and suggest that further study of structure versus substituents in vicinal dialkynols could be fruitful.

Studies of a series of [Ni(P(R)2N(Ph)2)2(CH3CN)]2+ complexes as electrocatalysts for H2 production: substituent variation at the phosphorus atom of the P2N2 ligand.

A series of [Ni(P(R)(2)N(Ph)(2))(2)(CH(3)CN)](BF(4))(2) complexes containing the cyclic diphosphine ligands [P(R)(2)N(Ph)(2) = 1,5-diaza-3,7-diphosphacyclooctane; R = benzyl (Bn), n-butyl (n-Bu), 2-phenylethyl (PE), 2,4,4-trimethylpentyl (TP), and cyclohexyl (Cy)] have been synthesized and characterized. X-ray diffraction studies reveal that the cations of [Ni(P(Bn)(2)N(Ph)(2))(2)(CH(3)CN)](BF(4))(2) and [Ni(P(n-Bu)(2)N(Ph)(2))(2)(CH(3)CN)](BF(4))(2) have distorted trigonal bipyramidal geometries. The Ni(0) complex [Ni(P(Bn)(2)N(Ph)(2))(2)] was also synthesized and characterized by X-ray diffraction studies and shown to have a distorted tetrahedral structure. These complexes, with the exception of [Ni(P(Cy)(2)N(Ph)(2))(2)(CH(3)CN)](BF(4))(2), all exhibit reversible electron transfer processes for both the Ni(II/I) and Ni(I/0) couples and are electrocatalysts for the production of H(2) in acidic acetonitrile solutions. The heterolytic cleavage of H(2) by [Ni(P(R)(2)N(Ph)(2))(2)(CH(3)CN)](BF(4))(2) complexes in the presence of p-anisidine or p-bromoaniline was used to determine the hydride donor abilities of the corresponding [HNi(P(R)(2)N(Ph)(2))(2)](BF(4)) complexes. However, for the catalysts with the most bulky R groups, the turnover frequencies do not parallel the driving force for elimination of H(2), suggesting that steric interactions between the alkyl substituents on phosphorus and the nitrogen atom of the pendant amines play an important role in determining the overall catalytic rate.

Electrocatalytic oxidation of formate by [Ni(P(R)2N(R')2)2(CH3CN)]2+ complexes.

[Ni(P(R)(2)N(R')(2))(2)(CH(3)CN)](2+) complexes with R = Ph, R' = 4-MeOPh or R = Cy, R' = Ph , and a mixed-ligand [Ni(P(R)(2)N(R')(2))(P(R''(2))N(R'(2)))(CH(3)CN)](2+) with R = Cy, R' = Ph, R'' = Ph, have been synthesized and characterized by single-crystal X-ray crystallography. These and previously reported complexes are shown to be electrocatalysts for the oxidation of formate in solution to produce CO(2), protons, and electrons, with rates that are first-order in catalyst and formate at formate concentrations below ∼0.04 M (34 equiv). At concentrations above ∼0.06 M formate (52 equiv), catalytic rates become nearly independent of formate concentration. For the catalysts studied, maximum observed turnover frequencies vary from <1.1 to 15.8 s(-1) at room temperature, which are the highest rates yet reported for formate oxidation by homogeneous catalysts. These catalysts are the only base-metal electrocatalysts as well as the only homogeneous electrocatalysts reported to date for the oxidation of formate. An acetate complex demonstrating an η(1)-OC(O)CH(3) binding mode to nickel has also been synthesized and characterized by single-crystal X-ray crystallography. Based on this structure and the electrochemical and spectroscopic data, a mechanistic scheme for electrocatalytic formate oxidation is proposed which involves formate binding followed by a rate-limiting proton and two-electron transfer step accompanied by CO(2) liberation. The pendant amines have been demonstrated to be essential for electrocatalysis, as no activity toward formate oxidation was observed for the similar [Ni(depe)(2)](2+) (depe = 1,2-bis(diethylphosphino)ethane) complex.

Moving protons with pendant amines: proton mobility in a nickel catalyst for oxidation of hydrogen.

Proton transport is ubiquitous in chemical and biological processes, including the reduction of dioxygen to water, the reduction of CO(2) to formate, and the production/oxidation of hydrogen. In this work we describe intramolecular proton transfer between Ni and positioned pendant amines for the hydrogen oxidation electrocatalyst [Ni(P(Cy)(2)N(Bn)(2)H)(2)](2+) (P(Cy)(2)N(Bn)(2) = 1,5-dibenzyl-3,7-dicyclohexyl-1,5-diaza-3,7-diphosphacyclooctane). Rate constants are determined by variable-temperature one-dimensional NMR techniques and two-dimensional EXSY experiments. Computational studies provide insight into the details of the proton movement and energetics of these complexes. Intramolecular proton exchange processes are observed for two of the three experimentally observable isomers of the doubly protonated Ni(0) complex, [Ni(P(Cy)(2)N(Bn)(2)H)(2)](2+), which have N-H bonds but no Ni-H bonds. For these two isomers, with pendant amines positioned endo to the Ni, the rate constants for proton exchange range from 10(4) to 10(5) s(-1) at 25 °C, depending on isomer and solvent. No exchange is observed for protons on pendant amines positioned exo to the Ni. Analysis of the exchange as a function of temperature provides a barrier for proton exchange of ΔG(‡) = 11-12 kcal/mol for both isomers, with little dependence on solvent. Density functional theory calculations and molecular dynamics simulations support the experimental observations, suggesting metal-mediated intramolecular proton transfers between nitrogen atoms, with chair-to-boat isomerizations as the rate-limiting steps. Because of the fast rate of proton movement, this catalyst may be considered a metal center surrounded by a cloud of exchanging protons. The high intramolecular proton mobility provides information directly pertinent to the ability of pendant amines to accelerate proton transfers during catalysis of hydrogen oxidation. These results may also have broader implications for proton movement in homogeneous catalysts and enzymes in general, with specific implications for the proton channel in the Ni-Fe hydrogenase enzyme.

[Ni(P(Ph)2N(C6H4X)2)2]2+ complexes as electrocatalysts for H2 production: effect of substituents, acids, and water on catalytic rates.

A series of mononuclear nickel(II) bis(diphosphine) complexes [Ni(P(Ph)(2)N(C6H4X)(2))(2)](BF(4))(2) (P(Ph)(2)N(C6H4X)(2) = 1,5-di(para-X-phenyl)-3,7-diphenyl-1,5-diaza-3,7-diphosphacyclooctane; X = OMe, Me, CH(2)P(O)(OEt)(2), Br, and CF(3)) have been synthesized and characterized. X-ray diffraction studies reveal that [Ni(P(Ph)(2)N(C6H4Me)(2))(2)](BF(4))(2) and [Ni(P(Ph)(2)N(C6H4OMe)(2))(2)](BF(4))(2) are tetracoordinate with distorted square planar geometries. The Ni(II/I) and Ni(I/0) redox couples of each complex are electrochemically reversible in acetonitrile with potentials that are increasingly cathodic as the electron-donating character of X is increased. Each of these complexes is an efficient electrocatalyst for hydrogen production at the potential of the Ni(II/I) couple. The catalytic rates generally increase as the electron-donating character of X is decreased, and this electronic effect results in the favorable but unusual situation of obtaining higher catalytic rates as overpotentials are decreased. Catalytic studies using acids with a range of pK(a) values reveal that turnover frequencies do not correlate with substrate acid pK(a) values but are highly dependent on the acid structure, with this effect being related to substrate size. Addition of water is shown to dramatically increase catalytic rates for all catalysts. With [Ni(P(Ph)(2)N(C6H4CH2P(O)(OEt)2)(2))(2)](BF(4))(2) using [(DMF)H](+)OTf(-) as the acid and with added water, a turnover frequency of 1850 s(-1) was obtained.

Phosphinidene group-transfer with a phospha-Wittig reagent: a new entry to transition metal phosphorus multiple bonds.

The phosphanylidene-sigma(4)-phosphorane reagents Me(3)P[double bond, length as m-dash]PAr (Ar = 2,4,6-(t)Bu(3)C(6)H(2) and 2,6-Mes(2)C(6)H(3)) are good delivery vehicles of the terminal phosphinidene moiety, PAr, to early-transition metals composed of zirconium and vanadium.

Tellus in, tellus out: the chemistry of the vanadium bis(telluride) functionality.

The vanadium-bis(telluride) complex, [(PNP)V(Te)(2)] (see picture), in which the terminal telluride units can act as leaving groups or protecting groups, is prepared by activation of elemental Te by V. The complex masks {(PNP)V(I)} or {(PNP)V(III)} sources when exposed to oxidants such as azides and diphenyldiazomethane. Isocyanides promote elimination of one Te ligand to furnish a V(III) complex with a terminal telluride ligand.

1,2-Diiodo-4,5-dimethyl-benzene.

The structure of the title compound, C(8)H(8)I(2), conforms closely to the mm2 symmetry expected for the free mol-ecule and is the first reported structure of a diiodo-dimethyl-benzene. Repulsion by neighboring I atoms and the neighboring methyl groups opposite to them results in a slight elongation of the mol-ecule along the approximate twofold rotation axis that bis-ects the ring between the two I atoms. In the extended structure, the mol-ecules form inversion-related pairs which are organized in approximately hexa-gonal close-packed layers and the layers then stacked so that mol-ecules in neighboring layers abut head-to-tail in a manner that optimizes dipole-dipole inter-actions.

1-Ethyl 2,2-dimethyl 3-(1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl)propane-1,2,2-tricarboxylate.

The molecular structure of the title triester compound, C(17)H(20)O(8), consists of a benzodioxole fused-ring system, an ethoxycarbonylmethyl group and two methoxycarbonyl groups arranged around a tetrahedral carbon center. Unlike similar triesters, which are oils, the title compound crystallizes at room temperature as interdigitated bilayers of triester molecules, with short O...H contacts from the methylene H atoms of benzodioxole to the carbonyl O atom of the ethoxycarbonylmethyl group and to a ring O atom of the benzodioxole group of a neighboring molecule within the bilayer. The persistence of these short C-H...O interactions from the activated H atoms of the benzodioxole ring at both 100 and 300 K indicate that they help provide the stabilization necessary for crystallization from the oil.

The progression of synthetic strategies to assemble titanium complexes bearing the terminal imide group.

The synthesis of terminal titanium imides is described in this account. The incorporation of this functional group has evolved from more simplistic approaches to more complex or unusual methods. Past and current synthetic strategies to incorporate the terminal imide functionality are explained with particular emphasis on low-coordinate titanium environments bearing this ubiquitous but vital type of motif. More recently, the imide functionality has demonstrated to be a key intermediate for modeling important industrial processes such as the hydrodenitrogenation of crude oil.

Silver(I) and thallium(I) complexes of a PNP ligand and their utility as PNP transfer reagents.

Silver(I) and thallium(I) complexes of a diarylamido-based PNP pincer ligand have been prepared and characterized. The silver complex [(PNP)Ag]2 exists as a dimer both in solution and in the solid state and is stable under an ambient atmosphere. Thallium complex (PNP)Tl is, however, monomeric and acutely sensitive to moisture and air. Both reagents serve to transfer PNP into the coordination sphere of divalent nickel, palladium, and platinum. [(PNP)Ag]2 is able to effect PNP transfer in air, but the transfer to nickel(II) is less efficient than that with the thallium(I) analogue.

Activation of atmospheric nitrogen and azobenzene N=N bond cleavage by a transient Nb(III) complex.

Atmospheric N2 is activated by two transient Nb(III) "(PNP)NbCl2" (PNP- = N[2-P(CHMe2)2-4-methylphenyl]2) fragments to form the bridging diimido [(PNP)NbCl2]2(mu-N2) (1). Complex 1 can also be independently synthesized from Nb(IV) and Nb(V) precursors via one-electron and transmetalation reactions, respectively. In the presence of azobenzene, the transient Nb(III) intermediate, prepared from Li(PNP) and NbCl3(DME) (DME = dimethoxyethane) under Ar, cleaves the N=N bond via a metal-ligand cooperative four-electron reduction to form niobium imide and phosphoranimine functionalities. Structural studies are presented and discussed for various Nb systems bearing the pincer-type framework PNP as well as the N2 and azobenzene activated products. Theoretical studies addressing the Nb-N2-Nb core in 1 are also presented.

Neutral and zwitterionic low-coordinate titanium complexes bearing the terminal phosphinidene functionality. Structural, spectroscopic, theoretical, and catalytic studies addressing the Ti-P multiple bond.

Alpha-hydrogen abstraction and alpha-hydrogen migration reactions yield novel titanium(IV) complexes bearing terminal phosphinidene ligands. Via an alpha-H migration reaction, the phosphinidene ((tBu)nacnac)Ti=P[Trip](CH(2)(tBu) ((tBu)nacnac(-) = [Ar]NC((t)Bu)CHC((t)Bu)N[Ar], Ar = 2,6-(CHMe2)(2C6H3, Trip = 2,4,6-(i)Pr3C6H2) was prepared by the addition of the primary phosphide LiPH[Trip] to the nucleophilic alkylidene triflato complex ((tBu)nacnac)Ti=CH(t)Bu(OTf), while alpha-H abstraction was promoted by the addition of LiPH[Trip] to the dimethyl triflato precursor ((tBu)nacnac)Ti(CH)(2)(OTf) to afford ((tBu)nacnac)Ti=P[Trip](CH3). Treatment of ((tBu)nacnac)Ti=P[Trip](CH3) with B(C6F5)(3) induces methide abstraction concurrent with formation of the first titanium(IV) phosphinidene zwitterion complex ((tBu)nacnac)Ti=P[Trip]{CH3B(C6F5)(3)}. Complex ((tBu)nacnac)Ti=P[Trip]{CH3B(C6F5)(3)} [2 + 2] cycloadds readily PhCCPh to afford the phosphametallacyclobutene [((tBu)nacnac)Ti(P[Trip]PhCCPh)][CH3B(C6F5)(3)]. These titanium(IV) phosphinidene complexes possess the shortest Ti=P bonds reported, have linear phosphinidene groups, and reveal significantly upfielded solution 31P NMR spectroscopic resonances for the phosphinidene phosphorus. Solid state 31P NMR spectroscopic data also corroborate with all three complexes possessing considerably shielded chemical shifts for the linear and terminal phosphinidene functionality. In addition, high-level DFT studies on the phosphinidenes suggest the terminal phosphinidene linkage to be stabilized via a pseudo Ti[triple bond]P bond. Linearity about the Ti-P-C(ipso) linkage is highly dependent on the sterically encumbering substituents protecting the phosphinidene. Complex ((tBu)nacnac)Ti=P[Trip]{CH3B(C6F5))(3)} can catalyze the hydrophosphination of PhCCPh with H(2)PPh to produce the secondary vinylphosphine HP[Ph]PhC=CHPh. In addition, we demonstrate that this zwitterion is a powerful phospha-Staudinger reagent and can therefore act as a carboamination precatalyst of diphenylacetylene with aldimines.

Aryl isocyanate, carbodiimide, and isocyanide prepared from carbon dioxide. A metathetical group-transfer tale involving a titanium-imide zwitterion.

Carbon dioxide can be readily converted quantitatively and under mild conditions into the aryl isocyanate and symmetrical carbodiimide via a metathetical reaction involving a zwitterionic titanium imide (nacnac)Ti=NAr(CH(3)B(C(6)F(5))(3)) (nacnac(-) = [ArNC((t)Bu)](2)CH, Ar = 2,6-(i)Pr(2)C(6)H(3)). The metathetical process to generate isocyanates allows also for facile formation of sterically demanding aryl isocyanide, by a deoxygenation route. Labeling studies using enriched (13)CO(2) are also described.